Chapter 75 The Prodigal Brother (Fifteen): A Merchant's Son's Counterattack Against a King of a Different Surname...

“In that case, Mother, I will leave this matter to my son,” Song Ceze said softly after a moment’s thought.

"I trust my son to do what he wants, but it will be hard on you. You are so young, yet you have to run around and worry about everything, big and small, for the family." Lu Wu Niang gently stroked Song Ce's head and sighed.

Upon hearing this, Song Ce smiled gently and took Lu Wu Niang's hand. "Mother, I'm all grown up now. I often feel that I haven't done enough. I only hope to experience more things so that I can become your and Yu'er's support sooner." After saying this, Song Ce released his mother's hand and smiled, "Tomorrow I will go to the county town to take care of our family shop. Mother, please rest assured."

"Good, good, my son, be careful in everything you do. If you encounter any difficulties, never try to be tough with others," Lu Wu Niang instructed.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Song Ce got up, tidied himself up, and set off for the county town. Without lingering, he went straight to the brokerage firm in the south of the town.

The brokerage firm owner, surnamed Xu, had quite a bit of influence in the county and a fairly good reputation. Unlike other brokerage firms, he didn't deliberately try to lower prices with sellers; he was an honest and kind man.

After hearing Song Ce's purpose, Manager Xu stroked his beard and smiled, "Since you want to sell the shop, young master, I will do my best. However, there is one thing I need to make clear to you beforehand."

"Please speak."

"Although the two shops owned by the young master are in good locations, many people in the county must have seen the commotion in front of that bookstore these past two days. I'm afraid the buyer of this shop will take the opportunity to lower the price," Manager Xu pondered.

“Manager Xu, it’s alright.” Song Ce took out the shop’s deed from his sleeve. “You just need to help me sell it as soon as possible, but there’s only one thing: the new buyer you find must have some connections.”

"Good! Young master is a straightforward person. You can rest assured and wait for my news."

This Manager Xu was indeed a capable man; in less than half a day, he found a buyer for Song Ce. Manager Xu secretly told him that the new buyer was related to the prefect of the city.

Soon, Song Ce met the buyer under the arrangement of Manager Xu. The buyer was a middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes. He did not try to bargain with Manager Xu. He agreed to whatever price Manager Xu quoted, and he was very generous.

Thus, in less than a quarter of an hour, Lu Wu Niang's two shops changed hands. Seeing that the matter was settled, Manager Xu smiled and took the contract to the county government to file the record.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Song Ce immediately went to the shop with the buyer to complete the transaction.

When the group arrived at the shop, the shopkeeper was surprised to see them, probably not expecting the owner to change so quickly. The buyer was easy to talk to and told everyone in the shop that they could work there first, and leave if they found something they liked.

Abao and Alu originally intended to go with Song Ce, but the buyer immediately took a liking to their cleverness and said with a smile, "You two are quite quick-witted. If you'd like to come to my residence to serve the young masters, that would be perfect. You can take care of the young masters on weekdays and even learn to read and write with them, broadening your horizons. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Abao and Alu were overjoyed and readily agreed. Such a good job would have been unthinkable for them in the past.

Before leaving, A Bao and A Luo walked up to Song Ce and bowed to him solemnly. "We will never forget your great kindness, young master. If you ever need our help in the future, we will do our best!"

The buyer, observing this, grew increasingly satisfied with the two, secretly nodding in approval and saying, "They truly are two grateful and kind children; I was right about them."

After everything at the two shops was properly settled, Song Ce, seeing that it was only noon, decided to hurry home to have lunch with Lu Wu Niang and Yu'er. After bidding farewell to everyone, he found a carriage and returned to the manor.

What he didn't know was that not long after he left, Master Song, at Xu Wu's urging, came to this bookstore.

After carefully tidying himself up, Master Song mustered his courage and strode into the bookstore.

When the bookstore clerk saw Mr. Song arrive, he quickly stepped forward and said, "Mr. Song, what kind of books are you looking to buy? There are only five copies left of the currently popular 'Charming Maidens' book. Would you like to take one home to take a look?"

"Stop trying to fool me! Bring out that Song Ce! I have something important to tell him." Master Song waved his hand and said impatiently.

"Sir, you must be joking. What brings Young Master Song here?" the waiter said with a smile.

"Don't think I'm easy to fool. Someone clearly saw him come today. You still want to play these tricks on me? You're still too green!" Master Song sneered.

"Oh dear, Master Song, Young Master Song is indeed not here. You'd better ask somewhere else!" The waiter was also unhappy, and with a snort, he turned to leave.

"Song Ce! Come out here! Now that you've grown up, you even dare to avoid your own father. What, now that your father is in trouble, you don't care about his life or death? How can you be such a son?" Master Song simply sat down on the wooden chair and shouted loudly.

Meanwhile, the buyer was having his steward review past accounts in the backyard. He had just taken a sip of tea when he heard a commotion coming from the shop in front. He frowned and asked the people outside, "Who is making such a racket outside?"

Upon hearing the buyer's words, the servant waiting outside hurriedly ran out to find out what was going on. Soon, the servant returned and rushed forward, whispering, "Master, the man outside claims to be the biological father of Young Master Song Ce. He's making a scene in the front shop right now, saying he's looking for Young Master Song."

The buyer's face darkened slightly upon hearing this. "I have already settled all the details of this shop with that young master Song. How can I allow him to make a scene and cause such trouble? Are we still going to do business? Go and tell the manager immediately that if he causes any more trouble, he should be taken to the yamen and asked to ask the magistrate to uphold justice."

"Yes, sir."

At this moment, in the front hall of the bookstore, Master Song was still shouting incessantly, attracting many passersby to surround the shop.

The servant, having received the master's order, approached Master Song, sized him up, and said with an air of authority, "This shop is now our master's property. If you don't listen to our advice and continue to make a scene here, don't blame us for being impolite!"

Master Song looked up and carefully examined the servant. He noticed that the servant's clothes were made of finer fabric, even more exquisite than his own. A sudden chill ran down his spine. But he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Who are you? This shop was originally my family's property. How could I not know when my son sold it? I'm here to confront my son; what business is it of yours?"

The servant sneered upon hearing this, then pulled a thin document from his sleeve and held it up high, showing it to the onlookers. He then loudly proclaimed, "Gentlemen, please look! These are all the complete contracts and documents related to the transaction between my master and the previous owner. The house deed, land deed, and receipts are all here. It's clear in black and white who owns this shop! Please bear witness for my master. If this man continues to cause trouble, we will take him to the county yamen and hand him over to the magistrate for punishment!"

Upon seeing this, a righteous-looking man immediately stepped forward and shouted, "The master has both contracts; what evidence do you have to prove this shop belongs to you? If you have one, quickly show it to everyone! If you don't, then don't blame the bookstore owner!"

“Yes! You can’t just say someone owns the shop based on their words alone!” someone nearby chimed in.

"I recognize this man! Isn't he the Master Song from the north of the city? Let me tell you, he owes money to several gambling dens in our city!" someone in the crowd shouted.

"Young man, tell me more, is this person actually a gambler?" someone asked curiously.

"That's right! I heard..." The onlookers chimed in, their voices growing increasingly noisy.

Hearing the whispers and murmurs around him, Master Song felt his face burning with embarrassment. He abruptly stood up, as if provoked, pointed at the person who had made the accusation, and shouted angrily, "Master, I saw you! Don't try to smear me! What gambling debt? What do you know?"

The servant, unwilling to continue the commotion with Master Song, gave a wink to the shop assistant beside him. The assistant understood and quickly pushed through the crowd and ran out.

Before long, the shop assistant arrived in a hurry with four imposing yamen runners. As soon as Master Song saw the runners, he stopped yelling and took several steps back, shrinking into a corner, not daring to approach any further.

If Song Ce were here, he would recognize at a glance that the leader was none other than Lu Bantou, who had escorted him back last time.

When Sergeant Lu arrived, he immediately recognized Master Song. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Song Sanzhi, why are you causing such a scene in someone's shop? If you can't give us a reason, then come with us to the yamen!"

Seeing this, Master Song panicked. "Chief, please allow me to explain. This shop was originally my family's property, but I never expected my unfilial son to secretly sell it behind my back! I came to confront him today, but he refused to see me. I was furious, so..."

"What? You're causing trouble in someone's shop?" Lu Bantou said coldly.

"Boss, please take a look." The servant hurriedly handed the contract to Boss Lu and said amicably, "This is the transaction document between my master and the seller. This shop truly belongs to my master. This person came to cause trouble for no reason and even uttered foul language. It's really unreasonable!" Seeing this, the passersby who were watching the commotion also spoke up for their master in twos and threes.

Lu, the head constable, took the contracts and documents, read them carefully, and understood the gist of the matter. He waved to the constables behind him and said sternly, "Qi Chuan, Zhang Bai! Go forward and seize him! Take him back to the yamen!"

Qi Chuan and Zhang Bai immediately obeyed the order, strode forward, and held Master Song tightly from both sides.

"Boss! I'm innocent!" Master Song struggled, but couldn't break free.

Lu, the head constable, dismissed the crowd of onlookers and said unmoved, "This master kindly advised you, but you wouldn't listen and continued to make a scene. Now you have broken the law. As for right and wrong, the magistrate will judge for you when you arrive at the yamen! Take him away!" After saying this, Lu nodded to the servant and led the constables and the escorted Master Song quickly toward the county yamen.

By the time Lu Wuniang and Song Ce received the news that Master Song had been imprisoned, it was already dusk.

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Author's Note: The author pulled over a cushion and obediently knelt down: My angel babies, you'll be a little fatter tomorrow~ I went out to play today, that's all for now, I'll write and write and write until 0 tonight.

Thank you so much for the nutrient solution, my darlings! Sending you love!